Though the screech of an alarm clock sounds the same in any language, we know that all this studying makes you tired, so we’ve prepared a lesson on giving you that extra “nudge” to get up out of bed in the morning. In this podcast learn how to tell someone in Chinese that it’s late and they need to get up. Which brings to mind another good thing about Mandarin on your terms: You don’t have to worry about being late for class. So go ahead...hit that snooze button for the seventh time. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0474

"Writing" in China has come a long way from its oracle bone past all the way to its QQ IMing and smartphone texting present. But now there's a new form called "WeChat" which mixes texting and free internet messages with voice messaging and GPS. WeChat is already pretty big in China, so if you're totally unaware, it's time to tackle this lesson... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1990

Sometimes you say one word of Mandarin and the other side assumes you’re fluent and lets loose with a torrent of Chinese. But then there are times when you have the opposite problem: you don’t hear what someone says, and then they write you off as not even understanding “ni hao.” This podcast was designed for just that maddening situation, so tune in and learn what Mandarin to use in that situation. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0472

We hope that those who come to China have a good memory, seeing as mobile phone numbers are about 20 digits long here. In this podcast, experience a Mandarin Chinese lesson on getting something you can’t live without here—a mobile phone SIM card. (ChinesePod tip: don’t get tricked into taking the number 444-4444-4444 ‘cause it’s easy to remember…) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0507

What is a 成语 or Chéngyǔ? It's an idiom. Here we learn 2 Chinese Idioms! The first is "Lower than a pig or a dog!" The second one is "Fowls and dogs are not at peace!" Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4093

It's a classic situation in any culture. A child breaks something, and when their parents ask them about it, they deny doing it. In this lesson, a father grills his son about something he broke. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2108

In part 1 of making a dinner reservation, you learned how to say you needed a dinner reservation for how many people. You're almost done, but you're still going to need to leave your phone number and your name. Learn how to do just that in this podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1930

Whether or not one can play a musical instrument, everyone appreciates a good tune. In this lesson, learn how to talk about music and playing musical instruments. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2105

The Chinese language has 4 tones. Follow along with Grace as she brings the 4 tones of Ma alive! The newbie lesson pairs nicely with "The Characters of Ma!" Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4091

Here is a lesson for all our Chinese-speaking carnivores out there. Now, we know steak isn't really a Chinese food, but some of you just may get a yearning to sink your teeth into a red juicy (or not) slab of meat once in a while. So, listen to this podcast to learn how to order it to your liking--in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0503

This is a breakdown of the characters or hanzi behind "Ma!" This lesson pairs nicely with the newbie lesson "Tones of Ma!" Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4090

So you've enjoyed some travels in China of late, but part of the fun is getting to go home and brag to everyone about what you've seen. Listen to this podcast and learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to tell someone about what you've seen and done whilst adventuring in the "Middle Kingdom." Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0500

No China experience would be complete without the “stuck in the middle of a giant mass of people” part. But you really need to get through. Not willing to just PUSH, you have to know what to say. In this podcast, you learn how to say “let me through” in Mandarin. (Getting the crowd to actually take you seriously is up to you.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0469

It's time to get those chores done! In this lesson, learn how to talk about doing house work, from washing dishes and doing laundry to tidying up your room. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2102

OK, so you’re in a little Chinese shop, or checking out a vendor’s stand, and the clerk is super excited. She’s trotting out a seemingly endless line of products, not a single one which arises an iota of your interest. So how do you tell her that you’re really “just looking?” In this podcast you can learn the Mandarin to do just that. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0465

Don’t you hate it when you want to know how to tell someone off in Chinese, but you just can’t find the words? Which results in your usual strong words: you bad! Well, leave it to ChinesePod to teach you the phrases you really want to know, like “shut up!” In this podcast, listen in as two friends have a little exchange of words. (Later, we’ll teach you how to kiss and make up). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0492

Ever been on the hunt for wifi? Here's how to ask! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4087

So much of life if consumed with planning for the things that we want to do. In this lesson, two coworkers talk about an upcoming annual meeting at work and whether or not one of them can attend. Learn how to talk about participating in big events like weddings, meetings, etc., as well as plans to return home. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2099

You know that guy that keeps calling your home number at 3am and asking for “Lao Li” in Chinese? You’ve tried screaming, you’ve tried threatening, you’ve tried begging. But he just KEEPS CALLING. With the help of this podcast you can learn how to finally tell the guy “wrong number” in Mandarin Chinese. (That’ll show him.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0460

Co-workers come and go in offices throughout the world. In this lesson, learn how to say goodbye to your Chinese co-workers and wish them the best. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2096

Emergencies happen. Buildings catch on fire. Here at ChinesePod, we prefer to think of these unfortunate incidents as “opportunities”--for you to start causing a ruckus about it in Mandarin. If your Chinese is not yet up to the task, then it’s time to tune into this podcast. You’ll learn not only how to tell people there’s a fire, but also how to dial the appropriate emergency number. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0455

Though your instinct may be to scream and run, a clogged toilet just isn’t going to go away, as we all know. Since you insist on throwing your toilet paper into the toilet (unlike the locals, who know better!), you will likely shortly be in need of this lesson. In this podcast learn how to use your Mandarin Chinese to beckon for your property manager’s help to deal with this delicate task. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0487

Asking Questions you need to know these five pronouns: who, what, when, where, and why. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4079

How much should you leave as a tip after a meal in China? The answer is nothing! In China, it is not customary to give tips. In this lesson, two friends learn what happens when you try to give a tip in China after a meal. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2090

Some say "1.3 billion people," but we say "1.3 billion human dictionaries." That's right, why should you thumb through one of those new-fangled "book" thingies when you can rely on glorious oral tradition and just ask people what words mean? This lesson will equip you to do just that, in Chinese! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1979

Little children do the strangest things, don't they? They bring us great delight, but also prove to be little monsters from time to time. In this lesson, a mother discovers that her precious child may have taken its drawing a little too far. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2087

You never know when you’ll end up in the colored ball room at Ikea and want to know how to have a conversation about colored balls, but, seriously, knowing about shapes and colors always comes in handy! In this podcast, Ken and Jenny use a graphic to help put you through the training. Learn the Mandarin words for six different colors, as well as how to describe big and small. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0451

Now that China is your "adopted country", you had better make sure you know what your flag looks like. The national anthem? Hmm, that we'll leave for you to learn before 2008 (or you can just hum along). In this podcast, learn a little bit about the flag and national anthem of China, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0482

Mr. Li is the talk of the town. He's dashing, he's witty, and... he's a father! In this lesson, the gossip turns to the subject of Mr. Li's children. If you're a parent (or maybe you're working on a complete inventory of everyone's children), you're going to find this lesson useful. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1976

Ever wondered what Easter has to do with chocolate bunnies? Well…you won’t find out in this podcast. You will, however, learn how to talk about this important holiday in Mandarin Chinese. Listen in to this podcast and learn how to discuss Easter in Chinese, and learn some words that have to do with the religious significance of this observance. Oh yes, and you will learn one of the most important words in any language: “chocolate”. Yes, don’t miss this one! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0477

Granted, you might get some stares for just being in an elevator, but your situation might improve if you could actually use your Mandarin Chinese to tell the attendant to which floor you're headed. Thus, the podcast. Next stop: Mandarin on Your Terms (obvious, yes, but we get away with it because we're cute). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0444

Huge guys in black suits with icy stares, bouncers are the same everywhere. In this lesson, two friends try to check out a popular nightclub, only to find themselves stopped by a bouncer at the door. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2086

Chinese people are often very gracious and helpful towards foreign guests, especially when traveling via train or plane. Having trouble stowing your heavy bag in an overhead compartment? Chances are you'll have someone offering to help you in no time. Learn how to accept such aid (and offer it!) in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1969

Jokes are never as funny when they have to be explained, and it’s likely that a joke in Chinese is going to need an explanation. But what about a joke where there’s really nothing to get? Not only do you not feel dumb, but you actually get smarter, because you learn all the Mandarin associated with a “cold joke” in this podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0467

You want a coffee, and that nice Chinese employee in the cafe wants nothing more than to sell you one. So stop overthinking it and cut to the chase. It's time to learn how to order a coffee (a latte, let's say) in Mandarin Chinese. Sweet caffeine awaits. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1962

For the record, we're a clean podcast. But every now and then we make a mess. But does a podcast listed in Time Magazine clean up after itself? Absolutely not! We delegate.This is where you learn the Mandarin you need to get that Chinese housework done. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0459

Alicia has ‘em, so does Florida. But what happens when you lose yours? A lesson, that’s what! Learn how to express your panic, in Mandarin Chinese, when you can’t find your something. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0439

Practically, it's a very important piece of knowledge to have: bathrooms in China often don't have toilet paper. The assumption is that folks will bring their own paper or tissues with them when doing their business. In this lesson, someone learns this piece of information the hard way... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2083

Oh sure, you can get ‘em over with a broad gesturing sweep of the arm, but it’s getting them to stay that’s causing some problems. I mean, you touch them and then point down to the sidewalk, which seems obvious--but it could also mean you want to buy concrete. How about a podcast teaching you how to say “wait here” in Mandarin Chinese? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0437

While the writer attempts to interject occasional humor into these intros, he knows there's nothing funny about the word ‘bu’, especially when you factor in the rules involved. Sorry, you don't know the rules? Oh, you'll thank us for this podcast that takes away the mystery of the changeable ‘bu’ in Mandarin Chinese, then. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0453

I'm sure we have all pestered our parents asking them "can I do this?" or "can I do that?".In today's Newbie Mandarin lesson you will learn a really useful and highly repeated phrase for saying you can or cannot do something. In Chinese there are about 3 ways to say can, and in today's lesson we focus on the one that is used when asking for permission. For example, when asking if you can use the toilet, or if you can eat and drink on the subway. After the lesson you will be confident in knowing when to use which "can" word. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2815

School days are here. In this lesson, read the diary of a student about their day at school. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2081

It’s only right that with us being the “bread and butter” of your day, we also offer up a Mandarin Chinese lesson on buying these two basics at the grocers. In this podcast, learn how to request a specific item at the supermarket, using your Mandarin Chinese. Spread the word! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0434

If there's one place you're apt to find yourself in a crowded elevator, it's China. With so many people around, chances someone will have to help you push your floor if it hasn't been pushed already. This lesson helps bring your elevator talk to a new level. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2077

Today we're trying out a different style of lesson. We are following the traditional ChinesePod approach, but adding this visual element to hopefully make learning Chinese that little bit easier. We hope you like it and if you have any feedback, we'd love to hear what you have to say in the comments below :) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2748

ChinesePod loves sports, which is why ChinesePod has such a fantastic figure. So, in keeping with that “little meet-up” in Beijing happenin' in 2008, in this podcast we offer up a Mandarin Chinese lesson on that slightly popular and oh-so-exciting game of ping pong. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0448

No matter where you are in China, Chinese people will be lavishing praise on you the moment you're able to utter even a simple "hello" or "thank you" in barely distinguishable Chinese. It's important to know how to deflect this politely (your Chinese companion will often expect you to!). Listen to today's newbie lesson to learn how! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1986

It's time to check out a basketball game. In this lesson, learn the word for 'basketball game', and more importantly, how to say you're free to go watch! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2075